Gregg Flowers: Puppies as Christmas presents not a good idea

Question: I want to get a puppy for my family for Christmas, and I was wondering if you have any suggestions.

Answer: Yes, yes I do. And the first one is: Don't do it. I know that seems harsh, and many people will get Christmas puppies for their families anyway, but I'm not coldblooded. I love dogs. And I'm pragmatic and rational.

A puppy who makes its first appearance as a gift item at Christmas is more likely to be thought of by children as an object instead of a family member. That's simply the wrong message for your kids. (OK, they're your kids, but I'm just sayin'.) In my opinion, our children need to learn that a live puppy is being adopted into the family as a living family member who will contribute much, but who will also have needs of its own, which the rest of the family is making a commitment to meet. One of the most valuable lessons children learn from a puppy is respect for living beings and concern for others in the form of attention to their needs. Somehow this lesson is often lost on a Christmas puppy. And many toys and gifts starting out under the Christmas tree are shelved or forgotten in a couple of months. Christmas dogs, too often wind up at the pound for this very same reason.

Responsible breeders who guarantee the health and temperament of their puppies, and who understand canine health, genetics, socialization and development, won't let you take a puppy home for Christmas morning. If you are able to get a puppy from someone who actually lets you have it on Christmas Eve so it could appear under the tree on Christmas morning, that should warn you you're getting a puppy from someone who doesn't know enough about canine behavior and development to be in the business of breeding or selling puppies. You would be much better off acquiring your newest family addition from a breeder who is savvy about dogs and their guardianship, and who cares enough about his puppies to require you take the puppy home under conditions that will be best for the puppy. If your breeder does not insist on this, there is a good chance he is more concerned with money that anything else.

Socializing, raising and training a puppy is a large undertaking, and absolutely should not be motivated by a romantic or emotional whim. This is a life. A life which requires a huge commitment from at least one person prepared to teach the dog what behaviors are expected of him, under a wide variety of circumstances. Real dogs must be house trained! And they must be taught to not chew the furniture, not to jump, not to bite, not to knock over kids, not to dig holes and taught to come when they are called. Dogs have to be taught to walk on a leash without dragging you down the street. They can't steal your kid's toys, or growl at your mother-in-law. They must learn to sit, stay and to lie down when and where you tell them, and to wait there until you say they can get up.

All of these things and many more are not natural dog behaviors. They must be taught by owners who are willing to spend the time and the energy. Do you really want to embark on this huge endeavor starting on Christmas?

If you are absolutely set on getting your family a puppy for Christmas, it might be much wiser to get a good book on raising a puppy and a gift certificate for puppy socialization classes from one of the local obedience instructors, or maybe a book on how to select the right dog for your family. This type of patience and healthy timing may go a long way toward keeping another dog from becoming a tragic statistic.

Gregg Flowers is a native Shreveporter and owns Dog's Best Friend in the Tampa Florida area. He also serves as a behavioral consultant for several local agencies. Write to him at P.O. Box. 25461, Sarasota FL 34277; or email to dogteacher7@aol.com.

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Gregg Flowers: Puppies as Christmas presents not a good idea

Question: I want to get a puppy for my family for Christmas, and I was wondering if you have any suggestions.Answer: Yes, yes I do. And the first one is: Don't do it. I know that seems harsh, and